Wire coupler



July 11, 192s. k 1,677,376

` J. ZILLIOX WIRE COUPLER Filed Oct. 22, 1925 Patented July 17, 1928.

Unirse stars JOI-IN ZILLIOX, OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PARKIVIETALWARE') COMPANY, OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW' YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

WIRE COUPLER.

This invention relates to a coupler for coupling electric wires witheach other and more particularly for connecting wires of dierentdiameters which are arranged at an angle relatively to each other. Asiswell known the main feed wire of electric conductor lines are usuallycomparatively large in diameter 4to properly carry the current, and thebranch or service wires whereby current is distributed to customers areusually of smaller diameter and extend laterally at different anglesfrom the main feed wire. Heretofore Vthe connection between such wireshas usually been effected by sol'- dering which is not only laboriousand wasteful of time as well as dangerous but also unsatisfactory Vdueto' likelihood of .producing a joint which is imperfect and hable togive way.

It is t-he object of this invention to produce a coupler for thispurpose which can be quickly and easily applied to wires of the 'same`or different diameters and which are arranged either parallel or vat anangle relatively to each other, which will produce a good electricconnection between the wires to be coupled without the use of solder,and which can be produced at low cost and capable of universal use onall sizes of wires, thereby rendering it vunnecessary to select acertain size coupler for particular sizes of wires and also avoidingthe. n-ecessity of keeping in stock more than one size or extra parts ofcouplers and thereby reducing the cost accordingly.`

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an end elevation ofan approvedvform of coupler embodying my 1nvention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same viewed at right angles toFigure-2.

Figures is a. cross section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a side view of one of the side clamping plates.

Figure 6 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the inner clamping plate and thetie rod upon which the same is mounted.

Similar charactersV of reference indicate like parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

The numeral 10 represents a main or feed wire' forming part of thevlinewhereby. the` main el-ectric current is conducted, and 11` either' bearranged parallel or atan angle` relatively to each other and in theVdrawings they are represented, for example, at right angles to eachother. v v

The preferred form of coupler for `connecting these wires embodying my.invention and shown in the drawings is `constructed as follows: Y g

The numeral 12 is a tie rod whichis arranged transversely of the wiresto be coupled adjacent to the Vcrossing between the samevand preferablyvconstructed of bendable. material, such as soft brass and provided withan external screw thread 13 so that this rod inV effectis the equivalentof a. bolt. Mounted on the central part of the tie rod and preferablysecured against rotation thereon is an inner vor lintermediate clampingplate 14 of metal such as brass which inthe preferred construction hasthe form of a circular disk, the opposite sides 15, 16 of which are flatand adapted to bear against theopposing inner sides of the wires whichare to be coupled. The preferred manner of connecting the intermediateclamping plate and the tie rod consists in providing this clamping diskwith a central screw threaded opening which receives the thread of 'thetie` rod, and soldering Vthis plate and rod together as shown at 9 inFigsjf, 3, t and 7 so that the same are held against rotation relativeto each other and` not liable to become displaced while being handled.

On the outer end portions of the tie rod are mounted two outer clamping'plates 17, 18, also preferably of Adisk form and constructed of metalsuch as brass. Each of these outer clamping plates is provided withacentral opening whereby the saine is free to slide and rotate on theti-e rod, and the same is also provided with corrugations which formparallel grooves 19 on the inner side of this plate, and on oppositesides of the tie rod. Each of these side plates is preferably bent intothe desired Vshape from a sheet of metal ofthe desired thickness in oneof its grooves one of the wires to be coupled.

The two outer clamping plates are pressed inwardly for the purpose offirmly enga-g-V ing the severalclamping plates with opposite sides ofthe wires and forming a. goodl electrical 'Y contact therebetween. These'pressing means preferably consist of washers 20, 20 mounted loosely onthe tie rodV and bearing against the .outer side of the outer clampingplates, and two screw nuts 21, 21 engaging with the threaded extremitiesofthe tie rod and bearing against the outer side offthe washers.

In using this coupler for connecting two wires the Screw. nut-s arefirst loosened Sulliciently to permit the central or intermediateclamping plate `to pass lbetween the two wires and the outer clampingplatesto each engage a groove on one side ofY the tie rod with the outerside of the wires. Upon now tightening the nuts each outer clampingplate will be Vdrawn on one side of the rod against the respect-ive wireand on the other side: of the rod'aga-i-nst the opposing part of theinner clamping plate, whereby the respective end of the tie rod wil-l bebent, as shown on the lower parts of Figures 3 and 4, and the right sideof Figure 2, thereby obtaining a tirm grip on the wires and producing agood metallic contact between the several parts for properly conductingthe electric current through the same. This adaptation of the ytie rodvaries according to the size of the wire which is being clamped and ispossibly due to the tie rod bei-ng constructed of bendable metal. Whenlthe clamping plates are thus tightened on the wires the latterareengaged by va spring' pressure or tension which permits the plates tocome and go under variations in temperature and still maintain a firmgrip on lthe wires.

By turning the outer clamping plate on the tie bolt or rod the same can:e applied to the wines at any angle at which the same may cross eachother land also regardless of the relative diameters of the wires.

Owing to--thev simplicity of this coupler and the employment of partsott like construction the saine can be manufactured at comparatively lowcost. l

As the same can be quickly applied to wires it is particularlyadvantageous for line- Vmen who 4are obliged to work on polesa'nd otherdangerous places, thereby `*reducing the hazard attending work of thischaracter to va minimum.

I claim as my invention l. A wire coupler comprising a tie rod, anl

inner clamping plate secured against rotation on the centralpartwoilsaid tie rod, and

adapted to be engaged on its opposite sides bythe inner sides of wiresVto be coupled,

two outer clamping plates capable of rotation on the end portions ofsaid rod and adapted to engage their inner sides with the outer sides ofthe wires tobe coupled, andv means for pressing said outer lclamping`plates inwardly. l' l i A wire coupler comprising an external lyiscrewthreaded tie rod, an inner clamping plate screwed on said rod andsecured against rotation thereon and having opposite fiat sides adaptedto engage with the inner sides oi' the wires to be coupled, outerclamping disks rotatable o-n said rod and provided on their inner sideswith grooves adaptedto engage with the outer sides of the wires to becoupled, washers arrangedion said rod and engaging the outersides'ofsaid outer clamping disks, and screw nuts arranged on said rodand engaging with the outer sides of `said washers.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

